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Florida basketball: Here’s why Keyontae Johnson returning is a good thing

By Matthew Clark

DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 21: Trey Porter #15 of the Nevada Wolf Pack battles for the ball with Keyontae Johnson #11 of the Florida Gators in the second half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 21, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 21: Trey Porter #15 of the Nevada Wolf Pack battles for the ball with Keyontae Johnson #11 of the Florida Gators in the second half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 21, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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The Florida basketball team has added a second NBA prospect to its list of returning players next season as the Gators build for 2021.

If there was a time to get really excited about Florida basketball, now might be it.

On Tuesday, rising junior forward Keyontae Johnson announced that he would be returning to the Gators next season.

Johnson made the announcement on his Twitter account.

“I can’t wait to get back and play with my brothers again next season! We’ve got unfinished business & the Gators will be ready to go. I’m excited to keep growing on and off the court with Coach White and our coaching staff here & keep playing in front of the gator family,” he said.

So, what does that mean for Florida basketball next season?

Well, for one, two NBA prospects are back in the lineup after Scottie Lewis announced last month that he would be coming back for another season.

For two, Florida basketball returns its leading scorer from a season where any dreams of SEC or NCAA tournament glory were stifled with the COVID-19 lockdown (hence, the unfinished business Johnson mentioned).

Johnson started in all 31 games for the Gators last season and averaged 31.3 minutes per game — second only to Andrew Nembhard.

He was the only Florida basketball starter to shoot better than 50 percent from the field — shooting 54.4 percent from inside 3-point range.

On top of all that, Johnson was the team’s second-leading rebounder behind graduate transfer Kerry Blackshear Jr.

As of now, Florida basketball has all of its starters back next season — with the exception of Blackshear, which is quite unfortunate considering the circumstances.

So, clearly, his return is great news for everyone, except Mike White.

The cupboard is pretty full for head coach Mike White and Co. That means expectations are going to be even higher, no matter who replaces Blackshear in the lineup.

The biggest question is how will White coach this team? This season was supposed to be THE season with Blackshear in the starting five. However, inconsistent play hampered the Gators all season long.

Next. Florida basketball projected starting 5 for 2020-21. dark

Now that just about all the pieces are in place for next season, the temperature under White’s seat should be pretty red hot.

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